Grangemouth’s Grace will get Falkirk’s Race for Life going

Deborah Punshon

A brave little girl and her family will be VIP guests at this year’s Race for Life in Falkirk.

Six-year-old Grace Newton, who has been through 14 rounds of chemotherapy after being diagnosed with bone cancer last year, will watch 17 relatives and friends taking part in the fundraiser at Callendar Park on June 21.

And this week organisers Cancer Research UK confirmed that the Grangemouth team will be invited on stage on the day to share a view words of wisdom with the crowd before Grace sounds the klaxon to get the race going.

Grace’s mum Janet said: “It’s amazing they have picked us to do this.

“Grace has now finished her chemotherapy, which was very successful, so now it’s up to the body to heal itself.

“She was just settling back into school two weeks ago when she had a fall and broke a bone in her arm, so she will be in a cast until the end of the summer.

“But she’s fine and she’s delighted about being a VIP at Race for Life.”

Anna Thompson, Race for Life’s event manager, said: “We are absolutely honoured that Grace and her family will be our VIP guests and will sound the starting horn to send more than 1000 women on their way around the course.

“I know the community has been inspired by Grace’s bravery and everyone who has been following her progress will be so pleased to see how she has gone from strength to strength.”